By Becky Walz,
Klaara Short uses a forehand to return a volley in action from earlier this season. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)
On a chilly but sunny Tuesday afternoon, the Decorah girls tennis team battled the Osage Green Devils for the second time this season; and, for a second time, the Vikings emerged victorious, beating Osage 6-3.
Highlights of the evening included Annalise Skrade giving up only one game at No. 1 singles, Olivia Huinker leaving the courts shortly after with an 8-3 victory at No. 3 singles, Camryn Holland earning a bagel with an 8-0 victory at No. 4 singles, and freshman Addie Maki not only playing her first varsity match but earning her first varsity win at No. 6 singles, finishing 9-8 (7-5) in an epic battle that ended with a tiebreaker.
In doubles, dynamic duo Evon Leitz and Klaara Short earned the Vikes another bagel, winning 8-0 at No. 2; and Jaidyn Duvel and Kaitlyn Bjork secured an 8-3 win at No. 3 with excellent net play and great hustle.
Decorah JV and middle school also had a successful night; making the most of limited court availability, the Vikes played numerous doubles matches and as many singles matches as they could until the sun began to set and the temperatures began to drop quickly. Nearly all JV and middle school matches ended in a Viking victory.
“This match was a great learning experience for all who attended. Many girls played up a position (or two) in the varsity matches, and one experienced her first varsity competition. For a young team, these types of experiences and competition are essential for future success. Upperclassmen leadership and encouragement has been instrumental in the growth of the younger, less-experienced players, and the team comradery amongst all the girls has been a joy to witness. I am really proud of how hard the girls are working and how determined they are to grow as individual players, doubles partners, and a team!” said Coach Amanda Huinker.
Decorah now hosts Union Thursday, April 20, at 4:30 p.m., and compete in a tournament at Clinton Saturday, April 22, at 9 a.m.
Singles: No. 1 Annalise Skrade (Dec) defeated Kaitlyn Olson (Osage) 8-1; No. 2 Evon Leitz (Dec) was defeated by Kendall Olson (Osage) 8-5; No. 3 Olivia Huinker (Dec) defeated Brooklyn Brock (Osage) 8-3; No. 4 Camryn Holland (Dec) defeated Sue Meier (Osage) 8-0; No. 5 Mara Branum (Dec) was defeated by Riley Tabbert (Osage) 8-4; No. 6 Addie Maki (Dec) defeated Claudia Aschenbrenner (Osage) 9-8 (7-5)
Doubles: No. 1 Skrade/Huinker (Dec) was defeated by Ka. Olson/Ke. Olson (Osage) 8-5; No. 2 Leitz/Klaara Short (Dec) defeated Meier/Bailey Nasstrom (Osage) 8-0; No. 3 Jaidyn Duvel/Kaitlyn Bjork (Dec) defeated Aschenbrenner/Tabbert (Osage) 8-3
Exhibition Singles: Corina Timm (Dec) was defeated by Bailey Nasstrom (Osage) 8-6
Exhibition Doubles: Holland/Maki (Dec) defeated Sophia Ketelsen/Paige Mehmen (Osage) 6-2
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